Abstract: Passivation integration schemes and pad structures to reduce the stress gradients and/or improve the contact surface existing between the Al in the pad and the gold wire bond. One of the pad structures provides a plurality of recessed pad areas which are formed in a single aluminum pad. An oxide mesa can be provided under the aluminum pad. Another pad structure provides a single recessed pad area which is formed in a single aluminum pad, and the aluminum pad is disposed above a copper pad and a plurality of trench/via pads. Still another pad structure provides a single recessed pad area which is formed in a single aluminum pad, and the aluminum pad is disposed above a portion of a copper pad, such that the aluminum pad and the copper pad are staggered relative to each other.

Abstract: A pad structure and passivation scheme which reduces or eliminates IMC cracking in post wire bonded dies during Cu/Low-k BEOL processing. A thick 120 nm barrier layer can be provided between a 1.2 ?m aluminum layer and copper. Another possibility is to effectively split up the barrier layer, where the aluminum layer is disposed between the two barrier layers. The barrier layers may be 60 nm while the aluminum layer which is disposed between the barrier layers may be 0.6 ?m. Another possibility is provide an extra 0.6 ?m aluminum layer on the top barrier layer. Still another possibility is to provide an extra barrier layer on the top-most aluminum layer, such that a top barrier layer of 60 nm is provided on a 0.6 ?m aluminum layer, followed by another harrier layer of 60 nm, another aluminum layer of 0.6 ?m and another barrier layer of 60 nm.

Abstract: Different ways to reduce or eliminate the IMC cracking issues in wire bonded parts, including: changing to more compressive dielectric films for top, R1, and R2; changing the top passivation film stacks to more compressive films; changing the low k film to a higher compressive film; reducing the R layer thickness and pattern density to reduce tensile stress; and minimizing anneal and dielectric deposition temperatures. Each of the methods can be used individually or in combination with each other to reduce overall tensile stresses in the Cu/low-k wafer thus reducing or eliminating the IMC cracking issue currently seen in the post wire bonded parts.

Abstract: Different ways to reduce or eliminate the IMC cracking issues in wire bonded parts, including: changing to more compressive dielectric films for top, R1, and R2; changing the top passivation film stacks to more compressive films; changing the low k film to a higher compressive film; reducing the R layer thickness and pattern density to reduce tensile stress; and minimizing anneal and dielectric deposition temperatures. Each of the methods can be used individually or in combination with each other to reduce overall tensile stresses in the Cu/low-k wafer thus reducing or eliminating the IMC cracking issue currently seen in the post wire bonded parts.

Abstract: Passivation integration schemes and pad structures to reduce the stress gradients and/or improve the contact surface existing between the Al in the pad and the gold wire bond. One of the pad structures provides a plurality of recessed pad areas which are formed in a single aluminum pad. An oxide mesa can be provided under the aluminum pad. Another pad structure provides a single recessed pad area which is formed in a single aluminum pad, and the aluminum pad is disposed above a copper pad and a plurality of trench/via pads. Still another pad structure provides a single recessed pad area which is formed in a single aluminum pad, and the aluminum pad is disposed above a portion of a copper pad, such that the aluminum pad and the copper pad are staggered relative to each other.

Abstract: A pad structure and passivation scheme which reduces or eliminates IMC cracking in post wire bonded dies during Cu/Low-K BEOL processing. A thick 120 nm barrier layer can be provided between a 1.2 ?m aluminum layer and copper. Another possibility is to effectively split up the barrier layer, where the aluminum layer is disposed between the two barrier layers. The barrier layers may be 60 nm while the aluminum layer which is disposed between the barrier layers may be 0.6 ?m. Another possibility is provide an extra 0.6 ?m aluminum layer on the top barrier layer. Still another possibility is to provide an extra barrier layer on the top-most aluminum layer, such that a top barrier layer of 60 nm is provided on a 0.6 ?m aluminum layer, followed by another barrier layer of 60 nm, another aluminum layer of 0.6 ?m and another barrier layer of 60 nm.

Abstract: A bond pad structure which includes an aluminum bond pad which include one or more dopants that effectively control the growth of IMC to a nominal level in spite of high tensile stresses in the wafer. For example, aluminum can be doped with 1–2 atomic % of Mg. Alternatively, Pd or Si can be used, or elements like Cu or Si can be used as the dopant in order to reduce the overall tensile stresses in the wafer. This can control the abnormal growth of IMC, thus arresting the IMC crack formation. A combination of dopants can be used to both control the tensile stresses and also slightly alter the gold-Aluminum interface thus enabling a uniform and thin IMC formation. This tends to reduce or eliminate any voiding or cracking which would otherwise occur at the wire bond transfer.